#55: I’m Running the Company, So Why Don’t I Feel “Seen”?
Always visible, but feeling unseen. At Second First, we hear this all the time from seconds-in-command: “I’m running the company. I’m making the decisions. I’m keeping the team on track… but I don’t feel seen.” It’s a hard feeling to name, but it’s real. You’re essential to the business, yet your impact is often invisible. […]
#54: The “I’m Too Busy” Trap
If you’re always too busy to invest in yourself, your career might be stuck. In this short but powerful solo episode, Megan Long addresses the all-too-familiar excuse: “I’m too busy.” Whether you’re putting off professional development, skipping strategic planning, or just stuck in back-to-back meetings, it’s time to ask what that busyness is really costing […]
#53: 5 Problems to Fix Before You Grow
Before you chase growth, fix these foundational cracks that could break your business. Before you chase aggressive growth targets, you have to ask yourself a hard question: Is your business actually ready to scale? We work with leaders every day who are stuck in the messy middle: growing revenue while cash gets tighter, roles get […]
#52: No Bullsh*t Strategy: How to Clear Competition and Craft a Profit-Driven Strategy with Alex M H Smith
Most companies don’t have a real strategy. What’s the difference between being the “best” in your industry and being the only one of your kind? In this episode, bestselling author and street strategist Alex M H Smith joins Megan Long to break down the myths of business strategy. If you’re a COO or second-in-command trying […]
#51: Determine What to Delegate to Scale & Successfully Work with a Remote VA with Kimeran Johnson
Unlock time and scale smarter by learning what to delegate and how to successfully partner with a remote VA In this episode, Megan Long sits down with Kimeran Johnson, COO of Nexus Point, to dive deep into how executives can offload the right work, reclaim their time, and scale their companies using offshore virtual assistants. […]
#50: Fifty Things I Wish I Knew as a COO (Rapid Fire)
50 Lessons for 50 Episodes In this special 50th episode, host Megan Long reflects on the hard-won wisdom gathered from years of working as (and with) Seconds-In-Command at founder-led companies. She shares 50 rapid-fire lessons she wishes she could give her younger executive self, ranging from mindset shifts and leadership tactics to strategic guidance and […]
#49: The Lead-Gen Blueprint for SMBs & Perfecting an Outsourcing Partnership with Cindy Dodd
Scaling Smarter: What Every COO Needs to Know About Lead Gen In this episode, Megan Long interviews Cindy Dodd, the powerhouse COO and cofounder of PEMA.io, an Inc. 5000 B2B appointment-setting firm. Cindy breaks down the most common lead generation mistakes, shares how to hold outsourced vendors accountable, and reveals the revenue planning process that […]
#48: De-Risking the Business as a Second-In-Command
Protect the business and your team by identifying and eliminating risk before it derails your growth. One of the most powerful (and often invisible) things you can do in this role is proactively de-risk the business. That means thinking ahead, planning for disruptions, and removing single points of failure that could knock the business off […]
#47: Financial Planning for Six-Figure Earners & Compensation Plan Pitfalls with Brenton Harrison
Avoid the Hidden Traps in Your Compensation Plan and Financial Planning as a Six-Figure Earner. In episode 47 of The Right-Hand Roadmap, we sat down with Brenton Harrison, a Certified Financial Planner who specializes in helping first- and second-generation high-income earners. Brenton pulls back the curtain on the emotional baggage that often comes with financial […]
#46: Employee-Generated Content & How to Start Building a Personal Brand Online
Encouraging employee-generated content and building a personal brand on LinkedIn can position your company and team as industry leaders (while also making hiring easier than ever). In today’s episode of The Right-Hand Roadmap, we’re diving into employee-generated content (EGC) and why it’s one of the most powerful tools for attracting top talent and building a […]
